January 15, 2014
Bach Elementary School
600 W. Jefferson, Ann Arbor, MI 48103 734-994-1949
UPCOMING
DATES TO
REMEMBER
Dear Bach Families,
Happy New Year!
What an unprecedented start to the new school year with 3 consecutive snow days.
We are so glad to be back to our normal schedule and routine. Many of you, I’m sure,
are happy to finally have your child(ren) back to school as well.

WESO – Bach Science Olympiad

Thank you to Tammie Nahra and Science Olympiad Coaches for the great kick off
assemblies. Our 2nd-5th grade students are pumped up to learn and experience science
at its best! PLEASE make sure to register as soon as possible. If you have any
questions or concerns, please contact and work with our Science Olympiad helpers so
your child(ren) can participate. All the details are on the following pages of this
newsletter! Good luck!

Bach Safety

Great job parents! Many folks have commented that the parking situation has
improved. Let’s keep supporting each other and keep safety first. Thanks!




NAAPID
On Monday, February 10, ALL families are invited to spend all or some of the school
day with their Bach student(s). Invitations and details to come soon. Keep the date
open!



Kindergarten Round Up
On Tuesday, February 4, from 6:00 – 7:30 p.m., any student who will be 5 on or before
October 1, 2014 may register for Kindergarten. Waivers are available for students
turning 5 before December 1, 2014. Please share this information with families in our
area so they can become a part of our school community. ALL potential Kindergarten
families should register with Kim Kauffman at 734-994-1949. Thank you.




1/14 WESO registration
opens
1/17 Bach Movie Night,
6-8pm @MPR
1/20 MLK DAY – no
school
1/21 WESO registration
closes
1/23 1st grade field trip
to Wild Swan
1/23 Middle School
Counselors visit Bach 5th
graders, 2:30 p.m.
1/23 School
Improvement Team
meeting, Media Center
1/23 WESO event
training for all coaches, 7
p.m., Lawton Elementary
1/24 MLK assembly
1/27 5th grade field trip
to AADL
1/28 Professional
Development for Staff –
NO school for students
2/4 Kindergarten Round
Up, 6-7:30 p.m.
2/6 PTO Meeting, 6:307:30pm @MPR
2/15 – 2/23 Mid-Winter
Break
2/24 School resumes
At Bach School we are dedicated to creating an environment that inspires learning. We strive to challenge each
student to achieve full academic potential and maintain consistent standards for socially responsible behavior.
We believe education is a share responsibility of the staff, students, parents, and the community. We value
Questions?
Send
anethnic
emaildiversity
to: [email protected]
children as unique individuals
and recognize
their
and various learning styles as strengths.
Communication Chain
There will be situations and times when you will need to contact Bach Elementary. Depending on the situation,
please think about all the staff that need to know and when.
o Leaving school early – Please e-mail staff AND call the office. If you are making new or changing existing
plans please call the office before 3:20 to ensure that we have enough time to get all the messages to
students.
o Concerns about individual or groups of students: Please contact your child’s teacher immediately via email or phone call. If you would like to speak with a teacher, please remember that during school hours,
our staff are with students. They will most likely get back with you after school hours or at their first
available time.
Home/School Connection – Bach New Year’s Resolution for 2014
I want to encourage all of you to stick with the Bach New Year’s Resolution for 2014 to actively participate at
school, whether in the classroom or after school event. Only with your spirit of volunteerism will we continue to
be a great community. Thank you to those that have given so much of yourselves already. Please know that our
students are benefiting. Again, Happy New Year!
Hyeuo Park
Principal
Principal Park’s Message of the Week
In honor of the New Year and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., I have included a short
excerpt from his famous speech. It’s a great reminder of the work we still have left to
do.
“I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will
not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.”
Questions? Send an email to: [email protected]
Bach 2014 Science Olympiad Team
Registration Information
What is the Bach Science Olympiad Team? Students (in grades 2-5) register to
participate in weekly practices for pre-determined events. These events are designed
to foster an interest in and enthusiasm for science. During weekly event practices
(from the end of January to the end of April), coaches help the students apply a
variety of scientific facts, concepts, processes, and applications to solve problems
(and have fun!). Team members learn about science through hands-on, active, group
participation.
What is the Washtenaw Elementary Science Olympiad (WESO) Tournament? On
Saturday, May 10th, 2014, at Pioneer High, thousands of students from 25 local
elementary schools will compete in event challenges by grade. The tournament is
fantastic and last year, more than 85 Bach Students in grades 2 through 5 competed.
Who participates in the WESO Tournament? Only a few Bach students compete in
each event by grade, respectively, at the WESO tournament. However, instead of
limiting practices to just students who may compete, we adopt a science club
approach. This allows more students to join our Bach Science Olympiad team and
benefit from participating in weekly event practices. Some of our Bach event teams
hold a mini-tournament to determine who will represent Bach at the WESO
tournament.
Registration for 2014: Please see the event listing below to see grade-specific events.
It is free to join a team with a nominal, suggested donation to the PTO ($5 - $10) to
help defer costs for t-shirts, supplies, and registration fees.
Bach 2014 Science Olympiad event registration
may be completed in one of two ways:
1. On-line registration: the Bach WESO website will accept event registration and tshirt orders beginning the evening of
Tuesday, January 14th, 2014.
http://www.bachpto.org/weso.php
2. Paper registration: Complete the registration form (included here) and return it to
school.
Registration ends Tuesday, January 21st, 2014.
Questions? Send an email to: [email protected]
Bach 2014 Science Olympiad Events
Some practice details are to be determined (TBD). Location details will be provided by
coaches prior to the first practice. Teams that meet on the weekend will NOT meet at Bach
but elsewhere in Ann Arbor.
EVENT
WEEKLY PRACTICES
(end of Jan to end of April)
GRADES
EVENT DESCRIPTION
day
location
2&3
Wed
Bach Art
Room
3:45-4:30 pm
Build and fly paper airplanes for distance, time and
accuracy. Parent help needed at 4:30pm.
2
Thur
Bach MPR
3:45-4:45 pm
4&5
Sun
AA
location
4 - 5:30 pm
Estimania
2,3,4,5
Sun
2 - 3:15 pm
Feathered
Friends
2,3,4,5
Mon
AA
location
Bach
Media
Center
Participants construct a barge using given materials
that support a cargo of the largest number of objects
without getting them wet.
Participants learn basic electrical circuit concepts,
components, schematic reading / understanding.
Design and build a simple circuit from a functional
description.
Teams will be asked to estimate answers to questions
of measurement or numerical approximation.
Participants learn bird identification by sight and
sound, anatomy (structure and function), life history
and habitat characteristics of birds.
4&5
Mon
Bach MPR
3:45-5:00 pm
Students will perform activities and answer questions
related to force and motion.
2,3,4,5
Tues
Bach MPR
6 – 7pm
Each team is given a bag of mystery materials to build
tallest structure that supports a tennis ball.
2,3,4,5
TBD
TBD
TBD
2&3
Tues
Bach MPR
3:45-4:45 pm
Fri
Bach Gym
3:45-4:45 pm
Each team will build missiles, utilizing a precision
straw as the missile body (all materials being provided
by WESO). The accuracy of the missiles launched
indoors at a fixed target will be tested.
Participants will build a bridge using the materials
supplied (a variety of dried pasta and clay) and
support a cup (in the middle of the bridge) with as
many small weights as possible.
Students run an obstacle course and then test their
knowledge of nutrition and health.
Aerodynamics
Barges
Circuit Wizardry
May the Force Be
With You
Mystery
Architecture
On Target
Pasta Bridges
Pentathlon
2,3,4,5
time
3:45-5:00 pm
Potions
4&5
Sun
AA
location
4 – 5pm
Puff Mobiles
2&3
Wed
Bach
TBD class
3:45-4:45 pm
Each team will follow instructions to make a potion,
demonstrating basic lab skills (e.g. weighing,
measuring, transferring, and filtering materials) and
familiarity with safety rules.
Build a mobile out of beads (wheels), drinking straw,
pins, and paper. Mobile that is puffed the furthest
wins.
Bach 2014 Science Olympiad Events
EVENT
GRADES
WEEKLY PRACTICES
(end of Jan to end of April)
day
location
time
EVENT DESCRIPTION
Reflections
4&5
Thur
Bach
Media
Center
3:45-5:15 pm
After answering questions about the properties of
light, participants will use a fixed light source and
movable reflectors to bounce the light to a specified
target.
Straw Towers
3,4,5
Sun
AA
location
3 – 4 pm
To Infinity and
Beyond
4&5
Sun
UM
Campus
2 – 3 pm
Each team will attempt to build the tallest and
strongest tower with the specified number of drinking
straws and straight pins.
Use charts and planetarium to demonstrate
understanding of solar system. Practices will be mix of
lectures and planetarium shows. Lower grade
students welcome with parent.
Students will build a rocket with the specified
materials. Teams will earn points for rocket launches
as well as answering questions about rocket
construction and flight.
Students tested on extinct or endangered organisms.
(lower
grade w/
parent)
Water Rockets
3,4,5
Sat
AA
Location
10:30 am noon
What Went By
2&3
Fri
3:45-4:45 pm
Write It, Build It
4&5
Tues
Bach
Media
Center
Bach Art
Room
3:45-4:45 pm
Two team members are shown a “picture” and write a
description. In a separate room, the other team
members are given the pieces of the “picture” and the
written description and attempt to rebuild it. The
team with the most pieces placed correctly wins.
Prioritization of events: It is important to prioritize a number of events when registering.
Students may not get their first choice because of demand. We will do our best to make sure
each student has a good match. Students may participate in more than one event if the
additional events have available space.
Donations: We do NOT have online donation capabilities this year. To support this program,
please consider submitting a check or cash to the Bach PTO general fund via your student’s
teacher or the Bach main office, indicating it is for WESO.
We suggest a donation of $5 if your student does not need a t-shirt (same shirt as last year)
and $10 if your student needs a t-shirt. Please note this donation is optional and students
may still get a t-shirt without a donation! Each student participating in this program should
have a Bach WESO t-shirt because the shirts are awesome, like your scientist.
General information about WESO and the WESO Tournament may be found at the WESO
website: http://www.aaps.k12.mi.us/wesowizards.home/home
Bach WESO website: http://www.bachpto.org/weso.php
Bach 2014 Science Olympiad Student Registration
Please register by Tuesday, January 21st, 2014. Please return this form to school
or register on-line: http://www.bachpto.org/weso.php
Student Name (please print): ___________________________________________________________
Grade: ________________
Teacher:
______________________________________________
Parent Name: _____________________________
Telephone #: __________________________
Parent Email: _____________________________________
Prioritize up to
3 events
Event
Day
1) Aerodynamics (2nd and 3rd grades)
Time
Wednesday
3:45pm - 4:30pm
Thursday
3:45pm - 4:45pm
3) Circuit Wizardry (4th and 5th grades)
Sunday
4:00pm - 5:30pm
4) Estimania (2nd thru 5th grades)
Sunday
2:00pm -3:15pm
5) Feathered Friends (2 thru 5 grades)
Monday
3:45pm - 5:00pm
6) May the Force be w/ You (4th and 5th)
Monday
3:45pm - 5:00pm
7) Mystery Architecture (2nd thru 5th grades)
Tuesday
6:00pm - 7:00pm
2) Barges (2nd grade)
nd
th
8) On Target (2nd thru 5th grades)
TBD
9) Pasta Bridges (2nd and 3rd grades)
TBD
Tuesday
3:45pm - 4:45pm
Friday
3:45pm - 4:45pm
Sunday
4:00pm - 5:00pm
Wednesday
3:45pm - 4:45pm
Thursday
3:45pm - 5:15pm
14) Straw Towers (3rd, 4th and 5th grades)
Sunday
3:00pm – 4:00pm
15) To Infinity and Beyond (4 and 5 )
Sunday
2:00pm – 3:00pm
10) Pentathlon (2 thru 5
nd
th
grades)
11) Potions (4th and 5th grades)
12) Puff Mobiles (2nd and 3rd grades)
13) Reflections (4th and 5th grades)
th
th
16) Water Rockets (3rd, 4th and 5th grades)
Saturday
17) What Went By (2nd and 3rd grades)
18) Write It, Build It (3rd, 4th and 5th grades)
10:30am – 12:00pm
Friday
3:45pm - 4:45pm
Tuesday
3:45pm - 4:45pm
T-Shirt Order Form: If your scientist does not yet have a Bach WESO t-shirt (same as
last year), please circle size:
Youth Small
Youth Med
Youth Large
Adult Small
Adult Med
Adult Large
Adult XL
Adult XXL
Adult XXXL
Registration Donation: To help with program expenses, please consider a check or cash
donation payable to Bach PTO in the amount of $5.00 (no shirt) or $10.00 (if able and
ordering a shirt). Please indicate on envelope that this is for Bach WESO. Thank you.
NEWS FROM THE PTO
Happy New Year from your PTO! Winter promises to be long and cold, but we have
a number of exciting events lined up for the coming months. If you find you have
some time to commit to helping us achieve our goals of promoting an active,
cohesive community here at Bach, we hope you will consider one of the following
open positions on the PTO leadership team:
Lunch Bunch chair (needed now!)
 Coordinate parent volunteers to lead small student groups in indoor lunch recess
activities (from board games to foreign language, and anything in between!)
throughout our coldest weeks
Restaurant Fundraising coordinator
 Contribute a few hours at your convenience to schedule fundraising nights with local
businesses by phone or e-mail
Spring Supper coordinator
 The Pancake Supper was on hiatus last year, and we would love to revive it in some
form or another this spring, possibly as an all-school picnic. You can make it happen!
Please contact Martha Gove or Heather Blakely for more details. Thank you to everyone who
continues to plan, coordinate, volunteer at, and attend PTO events with enthusiasm!
Martha Gove and Heather Blakely
PTO Co-Presidents
Special event at Nicola’s Books Saturday, January 18, at 11 a.m.!
Story time with the Humane Society of Huron Valley, with adoptable pets!
Do you have a young child who loves animals? Then bring your little ones to HSHV's Little Paws
story time program to have a paws-itively fun time! Designed for ages 2-5, this program will keep
your tot engaged through stories, activities, crafts, and animal interactions! Come and join us for
story time at Nicola's the third Saturday of each month at 11 a.m.!
NEWS FROM THE BACH MEDIA CENTER
Special Events: Coming soon … March is Reading Month!
Thank you to all who continue to save, rescue and send in product codes for this ongoing
program to benefit the Media Center. Meijer’s is offering 100 Bonus Points during the
week of January 19-25 when 5 or more participating products are purchased. Also a big
THANK YOU to Katie Ryan who cuts, counts, bundles and mails these labels for our
account. A drop off box is located by the front doors of the Media Center.
Free websites for students and their families to check
out!
Khan Academy: https://www.khanacademy.org/
Khan Academy is an organization on a mission. We're a not-for-profit with the goal of changing education
for the better by providing a free world-class education for anyone anywhere. All of the site's resources
are available to anyone. It doesn't matter if you are a student, teacher, homeschooler, principal, adult
returning to the classroom after 20 years, or a friendly alien just trying to get a leg up in earthly biology.
Khan Academy's materials and resources are available to you completely free of charge.
A Mighty Girl: http://www.amightygirl.com/
This site offers the world's largest collection of books, toys and movies for smart, confident, and
courageous girls. A free newsletter and blog along with parenting suggestions and timely topics for
raising 21st century girls and young women.
Guys Read: http://www.guysread.com/
Guys Read is a web-based literacy program for boys founded by author and First National Ambassador of
Young People’s Literature Jon Scieszka. Our mission is to help boys become self-motivated, lifelong
readers.
Gift Books for the Media Center Collection
Thank you to the following students and their families for their generous and thoughtful gift of books:
“When the Wind Stops” Patrick Smith and Family, in Memory of Stephen Easter
“Sophie’s Squash” the Nahra-Hollander Family
“Merry Christmas Davy” Eve Sarnecki and Family
“The Blessing Cup” and “Gifts of the Heart” the Apell-Varnum Family
“Barry: Dog Diaries #3” Alex Hannah and Family
Media Center Wish List
Many parents have been asking about a Book Wish List for the Media Center.
Over the years, families have often donated books in honor of their child’s
birthday or a special occasion but I have never compiled a list of “needs and
wants” as the Bach community has always generously supported our two books
fairs, which supplemented our district funds. However, this year the district
enacted a 66% reduction of our book budget and so I am responding to your
earlier requests by creating a Book Wish List on the Bach Media Center home
page. As always, thank you for all your support in so many ways.
Kathy Trudell, Media Center Specialist
Thanks again to all our walkers, parent volunteers, and Bach staff for another successful Walkathon!
We raised more than $14,000 for programs, materials, events, and field trips for Bach.
We also thank our wonderful local businesses for their sponsorship and prize donations!
Anderson Paint
Angelini & Associates, Architects
Ann Arbor’s Dentist
Arbor Farms
Bank of Ann Arbor
Barry’s Bagels
Bel-Mark Bowling
Busch’s
Catching Fireflies
Colonial Lanes
Elephant Ears
Found
Goldfish Swim School
Great Lakes Cycling
Hands On Museum
Hilton Garden Inn
Huron Contracting
Jump City
Jungle Java
Knights
Learning Express
Lewis Jewelers
Lexi’s Toy Box
M-Den
Michigan Theater
Mudpuddles
Peaceable Kingdom
Planet Rock
Red Shoes
Running Fit
Splash Universe
Sugar & Spice Salon
that girl stationery
Ultimate Software
University Musical Society
Washtenaw Dairy
Weber’s Inn
Wild Swan Theater
Xtreme Bounce Zone
Zap Zone
WALK-A-THON 2013, Saturday, October 24th
WALK-A-THON 2013 Top Walkers and Raffle Winners
(Sorry we couldn’t picture all of you!)
Grand prize bike winner
Cahne Smith
More Top Walkers and Raffle Winners
MORE UPCOMING DATES
TO REMEMBER
New OR Changed Event(s) are highlighted
 1/14 WESO registration opens
 1/17 Bach Movie Night from 6-8pm @MPR
 1/20 MLK DAY – NO SCHOOL
 1/21 WESO registration closes
 1/23 All 1st Grade Field Trip – Wild Swan – Owl’s Winter
 1/23 Middle School Counselors Visit Bach 5th Graders @2:30pm
 1/23 School Improvement Team Mgt 3 of 6 @Media Center
 1/24 MLK School Assembly in PM
 1/27 All 5th Grade Field Trip – District Library
 1/28 Professional Development for Staff – NO SCHOOL for students
 2/4 Kindergarten Round Up from 6:00-7:30pm
 2/6 PTO Meeting from 6:30-7:30pm @MPR
 2/7 All 2nd Grade Field Trip to Exhibit Museum
 2/7 All 5th Grade Field Trip to DIA
 2/10 NAAPID
 2/12 Count Day
 2/13 All K Field Trip – Wild Swan – Under the African Sky
 2/14 Valentine’s Day
 2/15 – 2/23 Mid-Winter Break
 2/24 School Resumes
 2/26 Chappell/Iglewicz Make Up Field Trip to UMMA
 March is Reading Month
Special MLK event
at the Ann Arbor District Library!
Award-winning author/illustrator
Bryan Collier
(illustrator of Martin’s Big Words)
will be at the Pittsfield Branch of the
AADL on Sunday, Jan. 19 at 2 p.m.
Learn about Bryan at:
http://www.scholastic.com/teache
rs/bookwizard/books-by/bryancollier
Thank you for allowing us to do your holiday shopping for you, and
for helping the Bach School community at the same time!
Holiday gift card sales earned $1400!
Our total for the year is $2300!
PTO Scrip Store hours
Fridays 8:45 - 9:15am (main lobby)
Conveniently, we have cards IN STOCK for many of our popular stores!
Ace Hardware (4%) - $25, $100
Amazon.com (4%) - $25, $100
Goodrich Quality 16 (4%) - $10
Great Harvest Bread (8%) - $10
Noodles & Company (8%) - $10
Panera Bread (9%) - $10, $25
Applebee’s (10%) - $25
Home Depot (4%) - $25, $100
PetSmart (4%) - $25
Barnes and Noble (9%) - $10, $25
iTunes (5%) - $15, $25
People’s Food Co-op (5%) - $25, $50
Bath and Body (13%) - $10, $25
Jo-Ann Fabrics (6%) - $25
Qdoba (7%) - $25
bd’s Mongolian Grill (8%) - $20
Kohl’s (4%) - $25
REI (8%) - $25
Bed Bath and Beyond (7%) - $25
L.L. Bean (16%) - $25, $100
Shutterfly (BONUS 11%) - $25
Best Buy (3%) - $25, $100
Land’s End (16%) - $25, $100
Speedway (3%) - $25, $100
Bruegger’s Bagels (7%) - $10
Learning Express (5%) - $15, $25, $35
Starbucks (7%) - $10, $25
California Pizza Kitchen (4%) - $10
Little Caesar’s Pizza (8%) - $20
Subway (BONUS 4%) - $10, $50
Chipotle Mexican Grill (10%) - $10
Lowe’s (4%) - $25, $100
Sweetwaters Coffee & Tea (7%) - $10
CVS (6%) - $25, $100
Macy’s (10%) - $25, $100
Target (2%) - $25, $100
Dick’s Sporting Goods (8%) - $25, $100
Marathon (3%) - $25, $100
Wal Mart/Sam’s Club (2%) - $25, $100
Downtown Home & Garden (10%)$25,$50
Meijer (3%) - $25, $50, $100
Whole Foods (3%) - $25, $100
Gandy Dancer (Landry’s) (9%) - $25, $100
Nicola’s Books (10%) - $10, $25, $100
Zappos.com (8%) - $25
Gap, Banana Republic, Old Navy, Athleta
(9%) - $25
*Numbers in parentheses represent percentage of gift card face value contributed to Bach PTO.
If you don't see a store you are looking for, please ask!
We can get cards for hundreds of national retailers!
Shop online! www.shopwithscrip.com makes purchasing gift cards easy! Create a new
account by using enrollment code:BB3C892921797.
Questions? Email [email protected]
Bach Movie Night!
Friday, January 17
6:15 – 8:00 p.m.
SNACK PRICE LIST
Popcorn
Apple
Fruit Leathers
String Cheese
Bottled Water
50¢
50¢
50¢
50¢
$1.00
Important Information
 Snacks will be available for
purchase starting at 6:00pm.
The movie will begin at
6:15pm
 Children can wear pajamas
and bring a blanket to sit on
while watching the movie.
 All children MUST be signed in
inside the Multi-Purpose
Room upon arrival and signed
out from the Multi-Purpose
Room when they are picked
up.
 Parents cannot ask their
children to meet them at the
front of the school.
 Younger siblings are welcome
to attend but their parents
must stay.
 Our Kindergarten parents
*Movie release date:
June 2013.
DVD release: October 2013.
Run time: 110 minutes
should plan on remaining at
school for the movie.
16